Nelson council proposes zoning changes for Railtown

At its Feb. 5 meeting, Nelson city council provisionally agreed to a number of bylaw changes intended to pave the way for the future development of Railtown.

The zoning changes would allow for a number of new permitted uses including distillery, multi-unit residential, art gallery and museum, entertainment facility, professional offices, and tourist accommodation.

There are also proposed changes related to vehicle sales, off-street parking for mixed use buildings, carshare stalls and cannabis businesses.

“It will allow for mixed use residential and commercial and still retain some of the industrial nature of that neighbourhood,” Mayor Deb Kozak said.

The changes are one of the first steps laid out in the city’s Railtown Plan, finalized in 2016. The plan consists of an overall vision of the specific kinds of development that may take place in different parts of Railtown and a regulatory framework for private development within that vision.

The changes, which all passed either second or third reading on Feb. 5, would affect the city’s Official Community Plan and the zoning, parking and subdivision bylaws.

All property owners in the Railtown area will receive notice of a public hearing on the proposed zoning changes, to be held in the near future.

Written materials considered by council are attached below.

A video of the discussion of this issue can be viewed by clicking on the camera icon beside Bylaw Amendment Railtown here.